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US 8,282,042 B2Granted
Skin panel joint for improved airflow
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPradip Girish Parikh, Henry John Koppelman, Todd Matthew Harris, Frederick M. Swanstrom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus may comprise a first skin panel having a first surface, a second skin panel having a second surface, a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, and a strip having a third surface. The first skin panel may be located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel. The strip may be bonded in the channel. Fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel may have a desired state.
Claims24
An apparatus for directing fluid flow over a set of surfaces, comprising:
- a first skin panel having a first surface;
- a second skin panel having a second surface;
- a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel;
- a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, in which the first skin panel is located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel;
- and
- a strip having a third surface, in which the strip is bonded in the channel to the first flange and to the second flange, in which fluid flow over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel has a desired state, the strip substantially occupying the channel such that fluid flow passes substantially over the first surface of the first skin, the second surface of the second skin, and the third surface of the strip and is restricted from flowing under the first skin, the second skin, and the strip.
3 more elements
An aircraft joint comprising:
- a first skin panel having a first surface, in which the first skin panel is located on an aircraft;
- a second skin panel having a second surface, in which the second skin panel is located on the aircraft, and in which the first skin panel and the second skin panel are comprised of a material selected from one of aluminum, steel, titanium, and a composite material;
- a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel;
- a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, in which the first skin panel is located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel;
- a plurality of fasteners, in which the plurality of fasteners attach the first flange and the second flange to a spar, in which the plurality of fasteners has a plurality of heads having a non-stick coating, and in which the plurality of heads is substantially coplanar to a surface of the first flange and a surface of the second flange through which the plurality of fasteners extend;
- a strip having a third surface, in which the strip is bonded in the channel, in which a first gap is present between a first side of the strip and the end of the first skin panel and a second gap is present between a second side of the strip and the end of the second skin panel, and in which the strip is comprised of a material selected from one of aluminum, steel, titanium, and the composite material;
- an adhesive, in which the adhesive bonds the strip in the channel, and in which the adhesive is configured to act as a sealant;
- and
- a coating attached to at least a portion of the first surface of the first skin panel, in which the coating extends into the channel, such that airflow is directed over the third surface of the strip, the first surface of the first skin panel, and the second surface of the second skin panel and such that the airflow has a substantially laminar airflow.
6 more elements
An apparatus for directing airflow over a wing, comprising:
- a first skin panel having an upper surface, the first skin panel proximate a leading edge of the aircraft, the first skin panel comprising one of aluminum, steel, and titanium;
- a second skin panel having an upper surface, the second skin panel comprising a composite material;
- a first flange located at an end of the first skin panel, the first skin panel attached to the first flange;
- a second flange located at an end of the second skin panel, the second skin panel formed with the second flange, in which the first skin panel is located adjacent to the second skin panel such that the first flange and the second flange form a channel;
- and
- a single material strip having an upper surface, in which the strip is bonded in the channel to the first flange and to the second flange so as to substantially occupy the channel such that air flows over the upper surface of the first skin, the upper surface of the second skin, and the upper surface of the strip, and such that air flows in a desired state.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.